Maybe this bike is not old enough to be vintage/Classic, but I like you guys better than the folks in the Road forum I aquired this Merida Extreme 903 in a trade a little while back. From what I've read around here and whats on Meridas website, they made a ton of bikes, but had names on them like Raleigh, Specialized and Trek. I actually have one with Merida written on it from probally the late 80's? (what do you think?). I started building it up with a Shimano 105 drivetrain and some FSA wheels. (nothing is original except the headset) I'm just sort of collecting parts on the cheap as I go along. If I like it, I'll likely keep it, but if its not a good fit, I'll sell it to someone in the area. I'm pretty much just trying to find out as much about this bike as posible for my own curiosity. Anyone have a Merida like this or similar model? Could this posibly be from the Germany Merida plant? (the fella I traded with said it may have come over from Europe).What year do you think this is? any comparable Treks or Specialized bike models out there? etc. etc. Anything would be fantastic.

Lots and lots of contract bikes. I heard they were the biggest in Taiwan until Giant grew up.
First I ever saw bikes with their name was early 90's and was told it was because with the collapse of the bike boom they were using their extra capacity to sell under their own name.

Raleigh USA, Rampar, Jamis, who knows who else? I sent them e-mail trying to confirm their Raleigh USA connection, and got no response.

all I see is a picture of wheel stays and a wheel.

We posted at the same time!! something happened to my host site, but i fixed it. there should be 3 pics now. thanks.

...Lots and lots of contract bikes. I heard they were the biggest in Taiwan until Giant grew up.
First I ever saw bikes with their name was early 90's and was told it was because with the collapse of the bike boom they were using their extra capacity to sell under their own name.
That's when Maruishi and Yokota (two other big contract makers) also showed up with bikes under their own name.

Raleigh USA, Rampar, who knows who else? I sent them e-mail trying to confirm their Raleigh USA connection, and got no response.

Well, that answered a couple of questions I had kicking around my noggin: who are/were some of the Taiwanese contract builders besides Giant and Kinesis whose frames we're likely to encounter, and who probably built the '90s Raleigh USA Capri frame I recently picked up. I'm guessing the fact the serial number begins with "M" means either Merida or Maruishi. Thanks!

I finally got around to finishing up this bike and I thought I would finish off the thread. I still haven't found anyone who is familiar with the frameset, but I know its a relatively light, solid frame with nice geometry. There are a couple photos below. It worked out well, because after getting a killer deal on the wheels, I got a barely used BB and the derailleurs for free! Heres the list of the final product. The pedals belong on another bike, but they work well for now. I'll probally put on SPD-SL 105's...we'll see:

Lots and lots of contract bikes. I heard they were the biggest in Taiwan until Giant grew up.
First I ever saw bikes with their name was early 90's and was told it was because with the collapse of the bike boom they were using their extra capacity to sell under their own name.
That's when Maruishi and Yokota (two other big contract makers) also showed up with bikes under their own name.

That Merida is a sharp bike.

I know that Maruishi was selling in the USA in the early 1980's. I have a 1984 or 1985, and I've seen a number that are older. They are a Japanese company (aka Jamis). Did they have production in Taiwan as well?

hey, just wanted to let you know i recently discovered the frame im turning into a fixed gear is the same as yours. so far your the only other person in the world i know who has this model, i feel like their very rare.
dont you love how the seat stays meet up below the top tube.